Shelly Christensen, CDPE

January is National Radon Action month. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. During the winter months, the Mesa County Health Department will be encouraging residents to test their homes for elevated levels of radon. Testing homes for radon levels is simple and inexpensive. Test kits can be purchased at the Mesa County Health Department for only $5.00 and the cost includes analysis and shipping. The Mesa County Indoor Air Quality Program is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families by testing their homes for radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but can reach harmful levels when trapped indoors, especially in the winter time. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is estimated to cause 20,000 deaths this year due to unknown exposure. Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but there is a simple solution, test your home. Mesa County Health Department urges residents to take action during the winter months to test their homes for radon. Winter is the best time for testing since windows and doors are normally kept closed. For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, or to get a test kit, please call 248-6960 or visit www.health.mesacounty.us. (INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MESA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT)

This year 2011, we have seen a trend in our market with an increase in the volume of sales but a decrease in home prices. Sales for the 1st 9 mos. of 2011 were up 5.4% over the same period in 2010. While there were a larger number of sales, the dollar volume dropped 8.7%, or $39.1 million. Looking just at October, there were 227 sales which was an increase of 8.6% from October 2010 but volume was down 6.8% for October compared to last year. More than 25% of total sales for 2011 were between the prices of $120,000 and $150,000.

As you know, our real estate market is linked directly to the economy and unemployment rate. As more people return to work, more will qualify for a home mortgage. As of September 2011, our unemployment was down to 8.5%. While we still have a ways to go, this is very much an improvement over the 10+% we were seeing through 2009/2010.

As for foreclosures, filings were way down in October by over 40% from October of 2010, while foreclosure sales were up over 36% in October from the same time last year.

I do expect to continue to see a large number of foreclosures hit our market as we go through what we hope is the final phase of clearing out the subprime and adjustable rate loans originated mainly between 2005 & 2007. We may still see a decline in prices over the next year and a drop in sales as we get closer to our next presidential election, but our current overall market conditions are showing stablization in some of the lower price ranges. Please feel free to call me for more details on the Grand Junction CO real estate market and any Grand Junction CO homes for sale.

Real estate absorption rates are used to show us how long it would take to sell off the current inventory in a given market. As agents, we use this information during our listing appointments as a guideline to advise a seller on how quickly their home may sell. To give you some history, and I will use the $200,000 to $300,000 bracket as an example, we began 2010 year with 9.1 months of inventory and hit 11.4 months of inventory in October of 2010. In 2011, we came into the year with over 13 months of inventory in this price bracket which means it would take over a year to sell the total inventory listed at that time. Currently, in October of 2011, our months of inventory based on the previous 6 months of activity, is only 6.4. While that may still sound like a long time to sell a home, it's less than half of what it was last year.

As a general guideline, absorption rates above 20% are indicative of a seller's market. With the current absorption rate at 43.3% for this price range, I can say with suffice that this price range is currently experiencing a seller's market. In addition, both the $0 to $100k and $100k to $200k price ranges are also currently experiencing a seller's market based on absorption rates above 20%. Many homes in this price range are receiving multiple offers, particularly the foreclosures and HUD homes that generally are priced below market value. All markets over $300k, however, are still considered a buyer's market with absorption rates below 20%. Whatever your price range may be, there is plenty of opportunity out there. If you have been thinking all year about buying a home, this just may be the time. Please call me if I can help.

Effective 10/20/11, HUD is once again offering their $100 down payment program on HUD-owned properties. To qualify, the following must be met:

· Must be an owner occupant purchaser

· Buyer must be purchasing with FHA financing

· Buyer’s bid must be full asking price

That’s it! A hundred bucks get you into a new home. On top of that, HUD will even pay your closing costs for you! It doesn’t get much better than this. THIS OFFER IS ONLY GOOD FOR 12 MONTHS – ACT FAST!

(Other conditions/restrictions may apply.)

Interested in other HUD programs, I can help! I have access to all HUD owned properties for sale which are usually priced extremely competitively. Great deals to be had right now. Call me for more info or to begin your HUD home search.

HOLIDAY DECORATING TIPS FOR SELLERS

What a great opportunity home sellers have this time of year. But decorating can both help and hurt a home's presentation. By following the tips below, your buyers will be taken by the warmth and shimmer of your home but will also be able to see the home and all its wonderful features.

• Instead of a 10-foot tree, try decorating a table-top version. This will keep the tree from overpowering the room its in.
• Stack wrapped presents in one corner. This can cure both a clutter and a potential security issue.
• Use more red than green in your decorating because red is an emotionally appealing color.
• Resist the urge to hang banners and use greenery such as evergreen or rosemary garlands. These decorations tend to hide what they are hung on.
• Display centerpieces made from pine cones or other wintry pieces of nature on the main tables.
• Let a holiday scented candle burn for 1-2 hours before your showing, then extinguish. Never leave candles burning unattended!
• Set a plate of cookies on the counter, next to festive paper napkins for guests.
• Simmer spicy apple cider on the stove, and set out cups and ladle with a note that says "Help Yourself."
• Use white lights instead of colored lights to add warmth.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HOME SELLING!